PM hails Turkish President’s visit

Manama : His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has lauded the security authorities whose role was crucial in ensuring the success of the recent security operations. Chairing the Cabinet meeting at Gudaibiya palace yesterday HRH Premier also lauded the citizens’ patriotic and supportive stances, instructions to step up vigilance pre-emptive security, and intensify investigations, research and control to repel and thwart all terrorist and criminal acts.

HRH the Prime Minister lauded the visit of the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Bahrain, HM King Hamad’s talks with him and the agreements signed between the two brotherly countries on the sidelines of the visit. 

The Premier highlighted the importance of President Erdogan’s visit to the Kingdom, in terms of goals, timing and results at the bilateral and Gulf Cooperation Council levels, noting that the visit augurs a joint Bahraini-Turkish political, economic and defence strategy, Cabinet Secretary-General, Dr. Yasser bin Isa Al Nasser, said in a statement after the Cabinet session.

While reviewing the memoranda on its agenda, the session reviewed the proposed aspects of cooperation with Turkey which will be discussed during the next meeting of the Joint Bahraini-Turkish Committee.

According to the memorandum presented by the Finance Minister, the committee will convene in Ankara on March 2-3, and will discuss cooperation in the fields of bilateral trade, finance and banking, housing and infrastructure, science, technology and industries, small and medium-sized enterprises, tourism, education, health and youth and sports.

The Prime Minister also hailed the Kingdom’s hosting of the World Arabian Horse Organisation (WAHO) Conference, under HM the King’s patronage, noting that its goals and outcomes are consistent with Bahrain’s efforts to preserve pure-bred Arabian horses, particularly that the kingdom is one of their world-famous habitats.

HRH Premier congratulated Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women, on being granted the Arab Medal by the Arab League in recognition of her support for the institutional efforts to advance Arab women.

Cabinet decisions

HRH the Prime Minister was informed about efforts taken to meet the citizens’ needs on medical services and medicines at all public health facilities. To tackle the health issues,  HRH the Prime Minister has directed to take all necessary procedures to ensure the citizens’ access to treatment and medicines without delay in all departments, including the Emergency Department at the Salmaniya Medical Complex.

On economy, HRH Premier has given directives to continue attracting companies and encouraging foreign investments through incentives and facilities in order to generate more job opportunities for Bahrainis. HRH Premier has also directed to continue promoting and marketing national industrial products, attracting local investments and encouraging small and medium-sized enterprises. 

Developing the Bahraini workforce and improving its capabilities are among the key goals set by the government, he said, noting that qualified workers represent value added elements to investment projects.

The government seeks to attract investment projects for the ultimate goal of creating new job opportunities for the citizens, the Premier said.